Decisive Cravings - Melbourne food cafe and restaurant reviews

Coconut Banana Bread Recipe

Coconut Banana Bread Recipe

by Decisive Cravings

COCONUT BANANA BREAD RECIPE My first memories of banana bread take me back to the tuck shop at school. Pre-packaged into individual slices these brown, peppery looking rectangles sat upright in a neat row. They were ok but a little processed so I wasn’t a repeat buyer. Much later on...

Strawberry Coconut Pancakes

Brekkie / I'm Allergic / Recipes

Strawberry Coconut Pancakes

by Decisive Cravings

STRAWBERRY COCONUT PANCAKES Serves 2 people (makes five to six medium sized pancakes) 1 cup rye flour 1/2 cup desiccated coconut 3/4 cup chopped strawberries 3/4 cup rice milk 2 tbsp coconut oil 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 tsp baking powder 1 egg 1 tbsp ground cardamom and fine...

Easy Everyday Bread Recipe

Easy Everyday Bread Recipe

by Decisive Cravings

Slightly crunchy crust on the outside, soft on the inside. It sounds so basic, but when done right a good loaf of bread is honestly one of life’s simplest pleasures – even more if you’ve made the loaf of bread yourself. Living in Thailand, we are absolutely spoilt for good...

Cakes

Recipes / Sweets

Cakes

by Decisive Cravings

Cakes are usually made for special occasions, the way I see it though they can be the cause for a celebration. This is our collection of cake recipes on the site so far. Some are quick melt and mix cakes, while others involve a little bit more time and...

Foodie Stuff / Recipes / Travelling Foodie

Foodie Profile: Tessa Kiros – Cookbook Author

by Decisive Cravings

Tessa Kiros A very special Foodie Profile with one of my favourite cookbook authors, Tessa Kiros. I was gifted my first Tessa Kiros cookbook in 2004. It was called Falling Cloudberries. The cover was so colourful and striking, just a snapshot of what was to be revealed in the book’s...

Native Australian Bush Food - A Beginner's Guide

Consciousness / Foodie Stuff / Recipes

Native Australian Bush Food – A Beginner’s Guide

by Decisive Cravings

Quandong – image source: theleafstore.com.au Native Australian Bush Food – A Beginner’s Guide With Sharon Winsor, the CEO and founder of Indigiearth By Jennifer Curcio In this native Australian bush food beginner’s guide, Sharon Winsor, the CEO and founder of Indigiearth, an award winning native food and products business based...

Buying your first piping bag set

Foodie Stuff / Recipes / Sweets

Buying your first piping bag set

by Decisive Cravings

The basic piping set available from Daiso – image by Jen Curcio Baking is something that I take in stages. Like anything in the kitchen, once I feel like I’ve got the hang of a specific type of recipe, I graduate myself to the next stage. Currently, that is learning...

Affitadu Recipe

Affitadu Recipe

by Decisive Cravings

‘Affitadu’ is the Sardinian word for ‘sliced’. In Affitadu, a recipe creation of my Nonna’s post-wartime, old bread is the hero. It is an alternative to lasagna, particularly back then when cooking had to be improvised due to the scarcity of so many ingredients. This is comfort food at heart and...

Tom Yam Soup with Mushrooms

Dinner / Recipes / Vegetarian

Tom Yam Soup with Mushrooms

by Decisive Cravings

Tom Yam, Thailand’s famous hot and sour soup has got to be one of my all-time favourite Thai dishes. All the elements of Thai cuisine gather together beautifully in this sweet, salty, hot, sour concoction bursting with flavour, aroma and texture. There are many versions of the iconic Tom...

Potato Fritters

Brekkie / Dinner / Lunch / Recipes / Vegan / Vegetarian

Potato Fritters

by Decisive Cravings

When it comes to go-to recipes, I like them to be easy and delicious – these potato fritters satisfy both requirements. This recipe has some spring onions thrown in for a little extra flavour, but apart from that all you need are literally potatoes, salt and pepper and some...

Braised Apple and Cabbage

Dinner / Recipes / Vegetarian

Braised Apple and Cabbage

by Decisive Cravings

Braised apple and cabbage has been a regular feature in our home cooked meals of late. Cabbage seems to be everywhere in Thailand, it’s extremely cheap and is one of the more nutritious vegetables going round, so it’s a win win really. I generally serve braised apple and cabbage when I make potato...

One Pan Potatoes

Dinner / Recipes / Vegan / Vegetarian

One Pan Potatoes

by Decisive Cravings

One Pan Potatoes is a simple but incredibly satisfying dish to eat. It is intended as a side dish but for some reason it always ends up being the main. This recipe is an adaptation of my Italian Aunts’ sliced potatoes, which she adds to a steamed fish dish she makes....

Eggplant and Tomato Braise

Dinner / Foodie Stuff / Recipes / Vegan / Vegetarian

Eggplant and Tomato Braise

by Decisive Cravings

This eggplant and tomato braise has been a staple at our place for a good year or so. I started making it when we lived in Jakarta as an excuse to test out the local eggplants, which were so foreign to the purple eggplant I grew up with. The dish itself...

Hazelnut and Apple Crumble

Foodie Stuff / Recipes / Sweets

Hazelnut and Apple Crumble

by Decisive Cravings

Apple crumble just like apple pie, is a comfort food I enjoy all year round but particularly so in winter. Although I can’t complain about the weather in Thailand (compared to Melbourne), rainy season has set in and the rain which I’ve keenly awaited to relieve the high summer...

Consciousness / Foodie Stuff / Gifts / Recipes / Travelling Foodie

Foodie Profile #29: Edible Flowers with Flowerdale Farm

by Decisive Cravings

Rocket flower is a popular savoury variety – image credit: The Weekly Times Farm Magazine In our latest Foodie Profile, we chat to edible flower grower, Lauren Richardson of Flowerdale Farm. We ask her about the process of growing edible flowers, her journey in the industry and the history and...

Recipe: Zucchini Fritters with Smoked Trout

Brekkie / Dinner / Foodie Stuff / I'm Allergic / Recipes / Vegetarian

Recipe: Zucchini Fritters with Smoked Trout

by Decisive Cravings

I, like any true Melbournian, love brunch, so whenever I’ve been to the Farmers Market at Gasworks Arts Park of a morning, I tend to pick up some fresh produce and head home to create something delicious for my sleepy household. Here’s one of my favourite brunch recipes, zucchini...

Home Chefs #12 - Watermelon and Radish Salad with Feta

Dinner / Foodie Stuff / I'm Allergic / Lunch / Recipes / Vegetarian

Home Chefs #12 – Watermelon and Radish Salad with Feta

by Decisive Cravings

Watermelon and Radish salad with Feta by Tucker Street Serves: 4-6 people as a side Time to prepare: 10 minutes Oh so refreshing and super quick, this salad can be prepped ahead of time and sit pretty in the fridge until serving time. Tucker Street recommends teaming this with Middle-Eastern...

Home Chefs #11 - Char-grilled Corn and Peach Slaw

Dinner / Foodie Stuff / I'm Allergic / Lunch / Recipes / Vegan / Vegetarian

Home Chefs #11 – Char-grilled Corn and Peach Slaw

by Decisive Cravings

Char-grilled Corn and Peach Slaw By Tucker Street Serves: 4 people Time to prepare: 15 minutes Our friends at Tucker Street have kindly shared this jazzed up summer slaw full of colour and flavour, and perfect for BBQs! A seasonal recipe, it makes the most of sweet summery peaches, is full of...

Home Chefs #10 - Double Ginger Cake

Foodie Stuff / I'm Allergic / Recipes / Snacks / Sweets

Home Chefs #10 – Double Ginger Cake

by Decisive Cravings

Double Ginger Cake (Makes one small bread loaf tin size) I love ginger. I love how half a teaspoon of ginger will add a warm element to a winter casserole, I love how a cup of ginger tea both relaxes and refreshes me and I love how dark...

Recipe: Thai BBQ Pork

Foodie Stuff / Recipes

Recipe: Thai BBQ Pork

by Decisive Cravings

Thai BBQ Pork Serves 2 Charcoal BBQ’ing is a common offering at night markets all across South East Asia. In Indonesia you will see delicious satay’s sizzling on hawker grills, in Vietnam the meat served to you to make DIY rice paper rolls, Nem nướng (meatballs or sausage), will...

Recipe: Som Tam Salad

Foodie Stuff / Recipes

Recipe: Som Tam Salad

by Decisive Cravings

Som Tam, spicy green papaya salad, is one of the most well known dishes in Thai cuisine. A specialty of Northeastern Thailand but served all over the Kingdom and even South East Asia, it combines all the principles of Thai flavours: salty, sweet, sour and salty. It comes in...

Foodie Stuff / Gifts / Travelling Foodie

Foodie Profile #21: Gabriele Galimberti

by Decisive Cravings

I was flipping through an in-flight magazine earlier this year when I stumbled on an interview with Italian photographer, Gabriele Galimberti, about his project and book, In Her Kitchen. The concept resonated with me instantly – a book of stories, portraits and recipes from grandmothers all over the world....

Foodie Stuff / Travelling Foodie

Foodie Profile #20 – Plants on Pink

by Decisive Cravings

Image by @mija_mija If you are on Instagram and you haven’t stumbled upon the PlantsonPink account, coming across it was inevitable. PlantsonPink has been a refreshing find not only because it isolates nature in an online medium but because on some level it allows us to start taking notice of the...

In Season: Asparagus Recipes

Consciousness / Foodie Stuff / Recipes

In Season: Asparagus Recipes

by Decisive Cravings

Asparagus Recipes By Jen Curcio Asparagus is up there when it comes to my favourite green veggies. I love it grilled, steamed, on its own, added to salads – any way really. There are many ways to use asparagus and please feel free to share your asparagus recipes in the...

Home Chefs #9: Pickled Red Cabbage

Foodie Stuff / Recipes

Home Chefs #9: Pickled Red Cabbage

by Decisive Cravings

Pickled Red Cabbage Makes two large salads My new neighbour, Cecile, has contributed this delicious pickled red cabbage recipe to DC. She is a lovely, witty Belgian woman with lots of personality. She dropped off some of this delicious salad for me to try and I...

Recipe: Simple Chicken and Veggie Seasoning

Recipe: Simple Chicken and Veggie Seasoning

by Decisive Cravings

Everyone has their favourite ingredients to work with when seasoning meat and vegetables. When it comes to a simple seasoning for chicken and veggies – this recipe is my go-to. As I’ve mentioned in Saving Tips for Foodies, I often prepare a batch of chicken and have it sitting...

Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe (eggless)

I'm Allergic / Recipes / Sweets

Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe (eggless)

by Decisive Cravings

Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe (eggless) Don’t let the ‘eggless’ part fool you. This is one of the best soft and chewy, chocolate chip cookie recipes I’ve ever made. I have been baking the odd choc-chip cookie for the better part of five years. I’ve tried many different versions but the choc-chip cookie...

Recipe: Roast Pumpkin

Recipe: Roast Pumpkin

by Decisive Cravings

Since moving to Thailand I can’t help but notice pumpkins. They’re at every market, supermarket, road stall – you get the picture. It’s safe to say that for the next little while it will be become a staple in our diets here – and it has already! Apart from...

Recipe: Bircher Muesli

Brekkie / I'm Allergic / Recipes / Snacks

Recipe: Bircher Muesli

by Decisive Cravings

Bircher Muesli is a breakfast that has been disappearing off the menus of many cafes. Such a shame but the good new is that is so, so good and easy to make. The traditional recipe by the famed man himself, Maximilian Bircher-Benner, a Swiss physician, created the recipe as a...

Suspended Coffee - a Tradition of Kindness

Consciousness / Foodie Stuff / Travelling Foodie

Suspended Coffee – a Tradition of Kindness

by Decisive Cravings

There are so many acts of kindness I’ve observed over the years. People handing me their unfinished paid parking tickets, discovering a ‘pass-it-on’ book left on a park bench and the cashier who gifted me an extra Citizen Cocoa truffle. One act that I have not been on the receiving...

Recipe: Bachelorette Eggs

Recipe: Bachelorette Eggs

by Decisive Cravings

Bachelorette Eggs Serves one This recipe is definitely my go-to when my partner in crime is away. I have a host of recipes for one that makes cooking easy but these Bachelorette Eggs are by far my favourite. Comforting, filling, flavoursome, easy and hearty – this one ticks all...

Meatless Meals Recipes

Consciousness / Foodie Stuff / Recipes / Vegetarian

Meatless Meals Recipes

by Decisive Cravings

Meatless Meals Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan or not – there are meatless meals here for everyone. Starters, salads, mains and sides have all been catered for. This little collection of recipes will help you see how easy it is to include more veggie based meals in your diet, as well...

Foodie Stuff / Travelling Foodie

Foodie Profile #17 – Janet DeNeefe

by Decisive Cravings

A visit to Bali over thirty years ago changed Janet DeNeefe’s life course forever. From her guesthouse to her cafes and restaurants, as well as the world famous Ubud Writers and Readers Festival she has made an invaluable contribution to the Island and is one of its greatest promoters globally....

Fika: the Art of a Swedish Kitchen Tradition

Foodie Stuff / Recipes / Sweets

Fika: the Art of a Swedish Kitchen Tradition

by Decisive Cravings

Fika, is the Swedish word for ‘coffee break’ or ‘refreshments’ but that still doesn’t quite sum it up. Swedish fika is so much more than just a cup of coffee, it’s a social phenomenon, a concept, a way of life you could say. Fika to Swedes is like the Hakuna...

Foodie Profile #13 – Ronni Kahn, CEO & Founder of OzHarvest

by Decisive Cravings

Ten years ago, OzHarvest became the first organisation in Australia to rescue all types of perishable food that would otherwise have been wasted. They have over 600 volunteers nationally, and have delivered 28 million meals to-date to Australians in need. We caught up with Ronni Kahn, the CEO & Founder of OzHarvest...

Recipe: Coconut Porridge with banana and dates

Brekkie / Recipes

Recipe: Coconut Porridge with banana and dates

by Decisive Cravings

This has got to be one of my favourite sweet breakfast recipes. Being in Indonesia I have slightly altered the ingredients I use when cooking sweets – namely more coconut cream and dates which are just an amazing combination. This creamy concoction is a great way to break up simple...

Home Chefs #7 - Potato Gnocchi with Tomato Sugo

Foodie Stuff / Recipes

Home Chefs #7 – Potato Gnocchi with Tomato Sugo

by Decisive Cravings

Since moving to Jakarta, the first food event I attended was an Italian Cooking class live via Skype with an Italian Nonna in Ancona, go figure! Dina Scataglini is the Nonna of a friend in my Indonesian Language class, Cecilia. Together with her husband Alessandro and the Italian Institute of...

Raw Cocoa, Date and Coconut Balls

Raw Cocoa, Date and Coconut Balls

by Decisive Cravings

Makes 25 2 cups of pitted Medjool dates (soak overnight in cold water) 2 cups of almond meal 1/2 cup of cocoa 4 tablespoons of cold pressed coconut oil A pinch of salt 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon A sprinkle of sesame seeds A sprinkle of desiccated coconut Optional:...

Foodie Stuff / Gifts

Foodie Profile #9 – Melanie Stapleton of Cecilia Fox

by Decisive Cravings

(Image by Eve Wilson) Melanie Stapleton is a florist, and the owner of Cecilia Fox in East Brunswick. Her team’s creations are truly stunning and they have floralised (new word I know) many incredible weddings and events (and my 30th – lol). We chatted to Melanie about how she started,...

Growing Honest Food by Gabriella Gomersall-Hubbard

Foodie Stuff / Gifts

Growing Honest Food by Gabriella Gomersall-Hubbard

by Decisive Cravings

Down a suburban street, under a canopy of Zibbibo and white grapes, on a plot of land in Keilor lies Rose Creek Estate – Melbourne’s local home of award winning wine and olive oil. In Growing Honest Food, Gabriella Gomersal-Hubbard captures the story of it’s beginnings and how from scratch...

The Last Jar

Brekkie / Dinner / Drinks / Late night / Lunch

The Last Jar

by Decisive Cravings

(The bar at The Last Jar – image credit, Eugene Hyland) (Starter – Smoked Mackerel Pate with house baked Soda Bread) ‘Twas a wint’ry Melbourne eve… perfect conditions to have accepted an invitation to visit The Last Jar in North Melbourne. Formerly the live music venue The Arthouse, new owners Siobhan...

Horn Please

Dinner / Vegetarian

Horn Please

by Decisive Cravings

(The bright, vintage inspired Horn Please menu card) Husband and wife couple, Jessi and Jennifer Singh, left San Francisco for Victoria in search of a better work-life balance. San Fran’s loss is most definitely our gain and needless to say, we are simply thrilled about that. Initially settling and working...

duNORD

Dinner / Drinks / Late night / Snacks

duNORD

by Decisive Cravings

(Image credit – Tess Williams) The words ‘Scandinavia’ and ‘Nordic’ immediately bring to mind a number of things: Ikea; royal families (including our very own Princess Mary); bicycle-friendly cities; and advanced education systems to name just a few. However, I’ll be honest, food traditionally hasn’t made this list. duNORD...

Hammer and Tong

Brekkie / Dinner / Lunch / Snacks / Sweets / Vegetarian

Hammer and Tong

by Decisive Cravings

To be honest, I would suggest that before reading any further you just glance at Hammer and Tong’s menu here. Now come back and email me here if the menu alone did not excite you or inspire you to visit. To date, Hammer and Tong remains one of the most impressive...

Home Chefs #6 - Tiramisu Recipe

Foodie Stuff / Recipes / Sweets

Home Chefs #6 – Tiramisu Recipe

by Decisive Cravings

Tiramisu Recipe By Jen Curcio Tiramisu is a very special dish in my family which Mum only whips up for special celebrations. After a fair bit of begging Mum finally agreed to share her tiramisu recipe. I’ve adapted it ever so slightly over time to suit my tastes, but it...

Event: Hophaus Opening

Dinner / Drinks / Foodie Stuff / Late night / Lunch

Event: Hophaus Opening

by Decisive Cravings

(Hophaus entrance in the mid level of Southgate) On arrival at this event we weren’t surprised to see Hophaus staff with trays of drinks waiting to greet us at the door but what was a bit unexpected was the choice of welcome drink – Jagermeister shots or Apple Schnapps!...

Home Chefs #5 - Curried Carrot and Lentil Soup

Home Chefs #5 – Curried Carrot and Lentil Soup

by Decisive Cravings

Curried Carrot and Lentil Soup Serves 4 This recipe has been kindly donated by Home Chef and Decisive Cravings contributor Alisia Romanin. 1 onion, chopped 1 leek (white part only), chopped 1 tspn cumin 2 tspns curry powder 5 carrots, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1...

Ribs and Burgers

Dinner / Kids / Late night / Lunch

Ribs and Burgers

by Decisive Cravings

Wow. Rib and Burger lovers I am going to say that this place is up there. A friend of mine kept raving about their Northcote restaurant, and apart from that the name (Ribs and Burgers) sounded like it had some meat to it (pardon the pun). Not...

Guest Recipe: Raw Chocolate, Tahini and Coconut Slice

I'm Allergic / Recipes / Sweets / Vegetarian

Guest Recipe: Raw Chocolate, Tahini and Coconut Slice

by Decisive Cravings

Raw Chocolate, Tahini and Coconut Slice – guest recipe by Coconut Health and Healing Serves 4 2 cups of shredded coconut 2 tablespoons of coconut oil 1 teaspoon of coconut sugar ½ cup of unhulled tahini or any nut butter of your choice 2 tbsp of raw cacao...

Combi Coffee

Brekkie / Drinks / Foodie Stuff / I'm Allergic / Lunch / Snacks / Sweets

Combi Coffee

by Decisive Cravings

(The Combi Coffee Laneway) The grand people from Combi Coffee have relocated…just down the road (in case you hadn’t seen the herds of people oozing out of the place). I was a big fan of their coffee and there was definitely a period there where I would make any...

Foodie Stuff / Gifts / Vegetarian

Foodie Profile #7 – the Thankyou Group

by Decisive Cravings

(The Thankyou Group co-founders (L-R): Jarryd Burns, Daniel Flynn and Justine Flynn) Going back several years now, I had the pleasure of meeting Jarryd Burns (pictured) – one of the co-founders of the Thankyou Group whilst holidaying in the States. I had heard of Thankyou Water at the time but meeting him...

Burch and Purchese

Foodie Stuff / Gifts / I'm Allergic / Kids / Sweets

Burch and Purchese

by Decisive Cravings

(Image Credit: Burch and Purchese) Burch and Purchese is a sweet shop reminiscent of the Willy Wonka Factory but smaller and no Oompa Loompa’s. Picture sweet treats of intensive imaginary proportions, like choc pops filled with caramel, Popcorn Honeycomb Rubble, jars of salted caramel, afternoon tea treats and cakes like...

Foodie Profile #6 – Lucy Folk

by Decisive Cravings

(Image supplied by Lucy Folk) 1. Your jewellery is undoubtedly inspired by food. Can you tell us more about this passion, and how it has influenced your work? I was brought up in a household where food and creativity were equally celebrated hence I guess I’ve always strove to fuse these two loves and...

Couscous Summer Salad

Couscous Summer Salad

by Decisive Cravings

(Image credit to Safari Living) Couscous Summer Salad Serves 4 This is a recipe, which has seen an evolution from its original source. It was passed on to my sister by an old colleague, which she then recreated into her own version, and readapted again by me. Despite the...

Strawberry Mint Salad

Strawberry Mint Salad

by Decisive Cravings

(Image credit to Safari Living) Strawberry Mint Salad Serves 2 My Father has been making this recipe since I was a little girl. It was a seasonal treat that he saved for summer along with his famous lemon granita. Over the years I have experimented with his strawberry salad recipe...

Prosciutto wrapped Cantaloupe

Prosciutto wrapped Cantaloupe

by Decisive Cravings

(Image credit to Safari Living) Prosciutto wrapped Cantaloupe Serves 2 – 3 Cantaloupe wrapped in prosciutto is almost always a permanent fixture at our summer family feasts. It perfectly connects the freshness and sweetness of fruit and balances it with the saltiness of this heavenly cured meat. ½...

Jinda Thai

Dinner / Lunch / Sweets / Vegetarian

Jinda Thai

by Decisive Cravings

(Top right: Spring Rolls, Bottom right: Beef boat Noodle soup) Jinda was recommended to me late last October at a Food Blogger event. We were talking about new restaurants we were loving, then Jinda Thai was mentioned and it was the subject of conversation for the next 5 minutes....

Rum Balls (Yum Balls)

Rum Balls (Yum Balls)

by Decisive Cravings

Rum Balls (Yum Balls) Ironically these rum balls contain no rum, which is why I also refer to them as yum balls. Any visitor to an Australian school fete or bake sale would be familiar with these classic little treats, especially around Christmas time. They’re very easy to put together,...

Mango, Avocado and Rucola Salad

Mango, Avocado and Rucola Salad

by Decisive Cravings

Mango, Avocado and Rucola Salad Serves 4 – 5 This is a beautifully fresh and flavoursome salad that is perfect for hot summer nights. Minimal ingredients here but their quality and taste make a big impact. Enjoy! 2 Thai Mangos 1 Avocado 1 Orange 1 Lime 5 well sized...

Home Chefs #3 - Salted Cocoa Banana Shake with Wattleseed

Home Chefs #3 – Salted Cocoa Banana Shake with Wattleseed

by Decisive Cravings

Home Chefs #3 – Salted Cocoa Banana Shake with Wattleseed Makes 2 glasses This incredible recipe (quick and so flavoursome), has been contributed by a personal friend Trish Hevern. She is a vegetarian, with a real flair for always creating healthy, hearty food packed with flavour and the ingredients...

Hudson Meats - Sausage Making Masterclass

Foodie Stuff / Gifts

Hudson Meats – Sausage Making Masterclass

by Decisive Cravings

(Micah Hewitt: butcher and our teacher for the night – showing us how it’s done) During Good Food Month we were very lucky to be invited to attend a Sausage Making Masterclass with specialty butchers, Hudson Meats. The Boutique butcher and Deli originally hailing from Sydney had just opened its doors in...

Gelato Messina

Foodie Stuff / I'm Allergic / Kids / Late night / Snacks / Sweets

Gelato Messina

by Decisive Cravings

(Gelato Messina’s new Fitzroy store in Melbourne) Established in Sydney in 2002, Gelato Messina is an institution Australia wide. 11 years later they decided to call Melbourne their second home – all we ask is what took them so long? Is it worth a trip to Messina? For sweet tooths...

Foodie Stuff / Recipes

Arabella Forge from Frugavore – Foodie Profile #4

by Decisive Cravings

(The lovely Arabella Forge) In our latest Foodie Profile we chat with Nutritionist, Cook and Food Writer Arabella Forge. Arabella is a down to earth soul with a conscientious approach and passion for cooking real food. She has shared this philosophy with the world in her fabulous cook book, Frugavore...

Foodie Profile #3 – Jimmy’s Burgers

by Decisive Cravings

We chat to Melbourne’s real burger King, James Hurlston (a.k.a Jimmy’s Burgers) about his adventures, top 5 burgers and whether he really eats one burger (or more) a day! He also makes his own burgers and has kindly shared some images of his creations with us, below. 1. How...

Review: Seoul Soul

Dinner / Lunch / Vegetarian

Review: Seoul Soul

by Decisive Cravings

If you like food and a restaurant with soul then Seoul Soul on Victoria St will hit the spot. The fit out is sleek and minimalist, making for an intimate, understated but fun environment. Picture high tables decked with grills, making for easy eavesdropping and people watching. Choose from...

Cookie

Dinner / Drinks / I'm Allergic / Late night / Lunch / Snacks / Sweets / Vegetarian

Cookie

by Decisive Cravings

(Stir fried pork belly with red curry, green peppercorns, kaffir lime and green beans) We all know it and we all love it, but sometimes we forget about it: Cookie, is a real treat in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. Situated in Curtin House, it is also the same building that...

Home Chefs #1 - Chorizo Meatballs

Home Chefs #1 – Chorizo Meatballs

by Decisive Cravings

Home Chefs – Chorizo Meatballs Serves 6. A few years ago an ex-colleague of mine gifted her Grandmother’s Chorizo meatball recipe to me along with a recipe box filled with recipes from the kitchens of all my colleagues. It is still one of the most thoughtful gifts I have...

Black Sesame Kitchen, Beijing

Foodie Stuff / Travelling Foodie

Black Sesame Kitchen, Beijing

by Decisive Cravings

Black Sesame Kitchen is quite a unique experience for all travellers visiting Beijing. From cooking classes to private dining and their ‘Wine and Dine’ evenings you can experience award winning Chinese cuisine up close or at a distance, it’s kind of like a choose your own food adventure. Choose to...

Dandenong Market

Foodie Stuff / I'm Allergic / Kids / Lunch / Snacks / Sweets / Vegetarian

Dandenong Market

by Decisive Cravings

When it comes to food markets in Melbourne, we’ll admit it we’ve been to the ones that are closest to the CBD purely out of convenience. Victoria Market (the great), South Melbourne Market, Prahran Market and even the Footscray Market (when we used to buy grapes to make wine.) However...

The Smith

Dinner / Drinks / Late night / Lunch / Snacks / Sweets / Vegetarian

The Smith

by Decisive Cravings

(Image courtesy of The Smith) Since it first opened we knew that The Smith was something special. At first glance it may have appeared (aesthetically) to be like many of the new fad restaurants and bars with amazing (but similar) architecture, and there may have even been a whiff of...

Vegan Cream of Spinach Soup

Vegan Cream of Spinach Soup

by Decisive Cravings

Vegan Cream of Spinach Soup (image courtesy of Healthy Blender Recipes.) By Tess Masters from Healthy Blender Recipes Serves 4. 2 cups raw organic fresh spinach 1 cup organic zucchini (about 1 zucchini) 1 cup chopped red onions (about 1 medium onion) 1/4 cup scallions/green onions – (about 6)...

Loam Restaurant

Loam Restaurant

by Decisive Cravings

On Sunday June 30, 2013 Loam Restaurant in Drysdale will close its doors forever. Loam is one of only six Victorian regional restaurants to receive two hats. Several weeks ago, we were lucky enough to dine there before the end of its era. Join us for a visual feast of our...

Foodie Profile #1 – Photographer John Street

by Decisive Cravings

John Street is a man with history and talent…and plenty of it. His schtick? Food photography, in fact some would say he pioneered it, bringing European standards with him from London when he moved to Australia in the seventies. We met by chance at a market, which lead to another...

Coconut and Raspberry Cake (Gluten and Dairy Free)

Coconut and Raspberry Cake (Gluten and Dairy Free)

by Decisive Cravings

Serves 8, best consumed within three days. A few weeks ago we were having afternoon tea with a food photographer, his wife had made us a beautiful cake to enjoy with our tea (pictured). He told us it was gluten free – hard to believe given how moist and delicious...

Where Chefs Eat

Where Chefs Eat

by Decisive Cravings

These days we are eager to try new restaurants based on credibility. Some of us read customer reviews ferociously, others rely on the words of food critics, and some prefer word of mouth; but there is one more category and it’s one we hold in high esteem, that of the...

Andrew's Hamburgers

Dinner / I'm Allergic / Kids / Lunch / Snacks / Vegetarian

Andrew’s Hamburgers

by Decisive Cravings

Andrew’s Hamburgers is a Melbourne burger institution. Over the years we have seen the essence of the burger recrafted with fancy names and flavours, hipster uniforms and logos, but nothing ever compares to the original and Andrew’s Hamburger’s have been producing old school, traditional burgers for years, since 1939 to...

Recipe: Real Hot Chocolate

Recipe: Real Hot Chocolate

by Decisive Cravings

Real Hot Chocolate Serves 1. This Real Hot Chocolate recipe is a simple and old-school approach to a calming, classic drink. Designed to comfort and warm in the colder months, this will be a lovely treat to look forward to before bed or cosy’ing up with a lovely book and...

Anzac Cookies Recipe

Anzac Cookies Recipe

by Decisive Cravings

Anzac Cookies Recipe (Adapted from Cookery the Australian Way by Cameron, Shirley M. 5th ed.) Makes 16 These cookies are an Australian classic. This recipe yields a softer, slightly chewy cookie. The cookie flavour has a good level of sweetness and with the added pinch of salt has a subtle, balanced...

Review: Rowena Parade Corner Store

Brekkie / Drinks / Foodie Stuff / Kids / Lunch / Snacks / Sweets / Vegetarian

Review: Rowena Parade Corner Store

by Decisive Cravings

Rowena Parade Corner store is one of Richmond’s little gems. Part milk bar, part deli and cafe, Rowena is a cosy, convenient spot with loads of comfort food and classic treats too. Many of our friends and family come here for the famous BELTAC – their signature sanga filled with...

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